Liverpool are reportedly advancing in talks over a deal for Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez.
They are discussing a transfer fee with the Cherries and are also close to agreeing personal terms with the 21-year-old left-back, as per Fabrizio Romano.
Kerkez would become Liverpool’s second signing of the summer after Bayer Leverkusen right wing-back Jeremie Frimpong, who looks set to join.
Frimpong has agreed a five-year deal with Arne Slot’s side and the club are expected to activate his £29.5million release clause to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Bournemouth have reportedly slapped a £45m price tag on Kerkez, one of their most prized assets, according to The Times.
They will be reluctant to lose a man who has been one of their top performers over the last two seasons and he still has three years remaining on his contract.
Liverpool are reportedly close to agreeing personal terms and are negotiating a fee for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez
The Hungarian international’s price tag was reported to be £45million earlier this season
Liverpool have already teed up right wing-back Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen
But he has attracted admiring glances from a host of top clubs and if Liverpool do get him, they will have beaten off the likes of Manchester United.
Kerkez has scored two goals and created six assists this season. In his spare time, he enjoys camping, fishing, and chopping wood back in Serbia where he was born.
His arrival would leave the futures of Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas uncertain.
Robertson, 31, has had to fight for his place harder than ever before in what is his eighth season at Anfield.
After a broken pre-season, Robertson’s workload has needed managing but he has still gone on to make 44 appearances in all competitons, 37 of which have been starts.
That’s more than Kerkez, who arrived at Bournemouth for £15m from Dutch side AZ two years ago.
Kerkez began his youth career at AC Milan before joining AZ in January 2022.
Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes was Bournemouth’s technical director at the time the south coast club snapped up the Hungarian international.
Arne Slot’s side have been proactive in trying to get their summer transfer business done early
Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced his exit and is expected to join Real Madrid on a free
Bournemouth are relucant to sell their top stars but there is an awareness at the club that they may have little choice in the matter.
Chairman Bill Foley, the American billionaire, has suggested he would not stand in their way if they choose to leave.
Real Madrid have already snapped up young centre-back Dean Huijsen for £50m and it would be a surprise if Bournemouth’s attacking talented remained untouched this summer.
